PU Residues Recycling
WHIRLPOOL S.A
ABOUT IT
This project sought to respond to the losses/impacts related to waste mapped by the company that non-recyclable waste represented in terms of cost and volume.
Using the 3G tool (Gemba - go to the site, Gembutsu - analyze the object, Genjitsu - analyze the facts), a large volume of clean PU generation was observed as a result of the processes of injecting rigid polyurethane foam to insulate the doors and cabinets, as well as liner - waxed paper from which adhesive labels used in the assembly processes are removed, both being discarded as non-recyclable waste and later sent for co-processing/energy recovery.
The company then started to use its polyurethane and liner waste as an input for the manufacturing of plywood sheets, road studs and kneeling support in the application of baseboards, ensuring the recycling of these materials that were previously discarded and sent to co-processing
Results and Objectives
Reduction of 62 tons of co-processed polyurethane per year
Recycling of 62 ton of polyurethane per year
Reduction of 117 tons of liner co-processed liner per year
Recycling of 117 liner per year
Increase in the plant’s recycling rate by 19%
With the sale of PU and Liner Liner as inputs, plus the cost reduction with their co-processing, the financial return amounts to BRL 163,000.00 per year
EN 
PT